On Friday, markets again diverged at the open, but then got back in-sync. SPY gapped up 0.30%, DIA opened 0.02% lower, and QQQ gapped up 0.52%. After that open, SPY and QQQ chopped along sideways above that opening level and closed in the green. Meanwhile, after the flat open, DIA immediately traded sharply lower for 25 minutes. At that point, it started a steady bullish trend that brought it back above the prior close by 12:30 p.m. before joining SPY and QQQ in a sideways chop just into positive territory. This action gave us indecisive, white-bodied, Doji or small-body Spinning Top candle in all three major index ETFs.  SPY and QQQ were both Bullish Harami candles.  DIA also printed a new all-time high and both SPY and DIA closed at new all-time high closes.  This all happened on below-average volume in all three major index ETFs.

On the day, nine of the 10 sectors were in the green with Basic Materials (+0.84%) and Consumer Cyclical (+0.82%) out in front, leading the market higher.  On the other side, Energy (-0.40%) was the only sector in the red.  Meanwhile, SPY gained 0.38%, DIA gained 0.04%, and QQQ gained 0.66%.  VXX fell 2.36% to close at 51.21 and T2122 climbed a bit further, but remains in the bottom half of its overbought territory to close at 83.90.  At the same time, 10-Year bond yields fell to close at 4.079% while Oil (WTI) dropped 1.87% to close at $69.34 per barrel. So, the Bulls were in-charge pretty much all day on what was also an indecisive day.  NFLX (+11.09%) was among the leaders of this charge after its blowout earnings Thursday evening.  (For the week, SPY gained 0.86%, DIA gain 0.91%, and QQQ gained 0.22%.  This was the sixth-straight week of gains for all three major index ETFs.)

The major economic news scheduled for Friday was limited to Preliminary September Building Permits came in lower than expected at 1.428 million (compared to a forecast of 1.450 million and the August 1.470 million value). At the same time, Preliminary September Housing Starts were a little better than predicted at 1.354 million (versus a forecast of 1.350 million but down from August’s 1.361 million reading).  This was a decrease of 0.5% month-on-month. 

In Fed news, on Friday, Atlanta Fed President Bostic made the case for the FOMC being patient in its rate reductions.  Bostic said, “I’m not in a rush to get to neutral.” He continued, “I don’t want us to get to a place where inflation stalls out because we haven’t been restrictive for long enough, so I’m going to be patient.”  Bostic went on to say, “If the economy continues to evolve as it does — if inflation continues to fall, labor markets remain robust, and we still see positive production — we will be able to continue on the path back to neutral.”  He also said that he is expecting inflation (which is currently at 2.2% according to the Fed’s preferred measure) to get back to 2% by the end of 2025.  That being his belief, he said “that should be sort of the timetable for when we should get to neutral.” All this said, Bostic said he expects the Fed to deliver two quarter point cuts in the last two FOMC meetings of the year.  For what it’s worth, Bostic also said he has never expected a US recession, saying “I’ve always felt that there was enough momentum in this economy to absorb the restrictiveness of our policy and drive inflation back down to its 2% target. I’m grateful that that’s been playing out so well.”

In stock news, on Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that activist investor Jana Partners (which has a 5% stake) is planning to pressure LW to explore a potential sale of the $10 billion French fry maker.  At the same time, USM announced it has agreed to sell some specific spectrum licenses to VZ for $1 billion.  Later, Reuters reported that the board of Japan’s Fuji Soft had agreed to continue to support a $3.72 billion buyout by KKR (despite having received a higher offer from BCSF).  At the same time, CNBC reported that STLA will close and sell its large vehicle testing facility in AZ by the end of the year. (The 4,000-acre facility was bought from F for $35 million in 2007.)  There are only 41 employees at the facility.  At the same time, SPR announced it was furloughing 700 workers for 21 days due to the ongoing strike at BA, which has eaten up their cash reserves and space for storing inventory ready for delivery to BA. 

Elsewhere, Reuters reported that SAVE reached an agreement with its credit card processor to extend its debt refinancing deadline two months to December 23.  At the same time, Bloomberg reported that CI has resumed merger talks with rival HUM. (The companies had abandoned those discussions in late 2023.) Meanwhile, Reuters reported that the union representing striking BA workers said it is again engaged negotiations with the company, with Acting Labor Sec. Su performing as the intermediary.  This is the first resumption of discussions since BA withdrew its last proposal and walked away from negotiations 10 days prior. Later, Reuters reported that T ratified agreements with the CWA union.  The contracts cover 23k employees across the Southeast and West of the US.  On Saturday, BA and the Machinists Union announced they had reached a tentative deal and the 33k striking union workers will vote on a package including a 35% raise over four years, a $7k signing bonus, and higher 401k company contributions.

In stock legal and governmental news, on Friday, Reuters reported that “Big Tobacco” (PM, BTI, and JAPAF) are close to a $23.6 billion settlement of a long-running lawsuit in Canada.  (The suit, which the companies lost, alleged they had known of the cancer caused by smoking since the 1950s, but had hidden that fact and continued to market their products as safe.)   If approved by the court, the mediator proposed settlement would be the largest of its kind outside the US.  Later, the FDA placed a “partial hold” on a Phase 3 clinical trial of a BNTX lung cancer drug.  (The hold was due to “varying results” between different populations in the trial.)  At the same time, after consultation with the FDA, GILD announced it was voluntarily withdrawing its bladder cancer drug Trodelvy after the drug failed to meet the main goal of a trial. Later, the NHTSA verified news reports from Thursday, announcing it was investigating 2.4 million TSLA vehicles equipped with “Full Self-Driving” after four more reported collisions, including another fatality. 

Elsewhere, the FAA announced it will open a new safety review into BA as the result of an in-flight emergency in January.  (The probe is expected to take three months to complete.)  Later, the US State Dept. approved the sale of $360 million of RTX-made tactical missiles to Japan.  At the same time, a MA judge rejected a motion by META.  He ruled that META must face a lawsuit alleging the company purposefully deployed features designed to addict children and deceived the public about the mental health dangers of its social media platform to teenagers.  Later, a federal judge in CA granted GOOGL’s request to temporarily pause his order directing the company to overhaul its Android app store (Google Play Store) to give consumers more choice over how they download and pay for apps. The delay will allow time for the 9^th US Circuit Court of Appeals to consider GOOGL’s request for appeal.  At the same time, the SEC granted “accelerated approval” to 11 ETFs to list and trade options tied to the spot price of Bitcoin.  The ETFs will trade on the NYSE.  Meanwhile, a federal jury in Ca ruled WDC must pay $315.7 million for patent infringement to private company SPEX Technologies.

In miscellaneous news, on Friday, GS released a report indicating that last week saw hedge funds buying tech stocks (chips and chipmaking equipment) at the fastest pace in five months. (GS is privy to this data since its Prime brokerage service is a primary services provider to hedge funds.) GS said this was the third straight week hedge funds were net buyers of these stocks.  Elsewhere, Chinese dronemaker DJI filed suit against the US Dept. of Defense, challenging its listing as a company working with the Chinese military (subject to import restrictions).  Meanwhile, CNBC reported Friday that Port of Los Angeles (the country’s fifth-largest port) is now experiencing the largest rail delays in more than two years. (Rail delays means the railroads are unable to keep up with the volume of inbound containers.  So, they containers stack up at the port.) The primary causes cited were increased volumes from shipping that was rerouted to LA when East Coast and Gulf Coast ports were expected to be striking, increased traffic from ships that had to avoid the Red Sea and Suez Canal, and increased volumes from holiday merchandise.  As of now, containers are waiting an average of nine days to leave the port via rail after unloading from ships.

In Middle East news, on Friday, following an investigation, the UN accused Israeli settlers from killing civilians and cutting down Palestinian olive groves in the occupied West Bank.  The Humanitarian Office of the UN called the 32 attacks “war-like” tactics. (Israel said it has suspended the officer in charge of the IDF in that area, pending its own internal investigation into allowing illegal settlers to commit violence under the protection of IDF forces.) On Saturday, Hezbollah fired 20 more rocket salvos into the north of Israel with IDF saying they were intercepted. Hezbollah also launched a single drone attack on PM Netanyahu’s “holiday home” (although the PM was not at that location). In retaliation, Israel pounded Beirut and Southern Lebanon as well as the Bekaa Valley (50 miles north of Beirut).  This included bombings of the Lebanese Christian-majority town of Jounieh. Meanwhile, Israeli attacks in Gaza killed at least another 35 people and IDF forces laid siege to three Gaza hospitals.  Israel also dropped leaflets saying Hamas would no longer be allowed to rule Gaza. On Sunday, Israel bombed a refugee building in Northern Gaza, kill another 100.  Then Sunday night and early Monday, Israeli PM Netanyahu called a meeting of his top aides to discuss their next strike on Iran. For now, the oil markets still seem as much concerned with Chinese demand concerns more than disruption to Middle Eastern oil supplies. However, the preparations for Israel’s strike on Iran may change that balance.

Overnight, Asian markets were mixed with six green and six red exchanges. Shenzhen (+1.09%) led the gainers while Hong Kong (-1.57%) paced the losses.  In Europe, the picture is much more or a red hue with 13 of the 14 bourses below break-even at midday.  The CAC (-0.95%), DAX (-0.95%), and FTSE (-0.25%) lead the region lower in early afternoon trade.  In the US, as of 7:40 a.m., Futures are pointing toward a down start to the week.  The DIA implies a -0.22% open, the SPY is implying a -0.34% open, and the QQQ implies a -0.60% open at this hour.  At the same time, 10-Year bond yields have spiked to 4.136% and Oil (WTI) is up 2.17% to $70.72 per barrel in early trading.

The major economic news scheduled for Monday is limited to September US Leading Economic Indicators Index (10 a.m.).  We also hear from Fed members Kashkari (1 p.m.) and Daly (5:40 p.m.). The major earnings reports scheduled for before the open are limited to KSPI and LU. Then, after the close, ARE, BOKF, LOGI, MEDP, NUE, SAP, SIGI, TFII, WRB, WTFC, and ZION report.

In economic news later this week, on Tuesday we get API Weekly Cride Oil Stocks. We also hear from Fed member Harker.  Then Wednesday, September Existing Home Sales, EIA Weekly Crude Oil Inventories, and the Fed Beige Book.  We also hear from Fed Governor Bowman.  On Thursday, we get September Building Permits, Weekly initial Jobless Claims, Weekly Continuing Jobless Claims, Preliminary Oct. S&P Global Mfg. PMI, Preliminary Oct. S&P Services PMI, Preliminary Oct. Composite PMI, Sept. New Home Sales, and the Fed Balance Sheet.  Finally, on Friday, Preliminary Sept. Core Durable Goods Orders, Preliminary Sept. Durable Goods, Michigan Consumer Sentiment, Michigan Consumer Sentiment, Michigan 1-Year Inflation Expectations, and Michigan 5-Year Inflation Expectations are reported.

In terms of earnings reports later this week, on Tuesday, we hear from MMM, AOS, DHR, FI, FCX, GE, GM, GPC, HRI, IPG, IVZ, KMB, LMT, MCO, NSC, PCAR, PNR, PM, PII, PHM, DGX, RTX, SHW, VZ, AGR, BKR, CNI, CSGP, EWBC, ENVA, MTDR, NBR, PKG, PFSI, RRC, RHI, STX, LRN, TXN, VMI, VLRS, and WFRD.  Then Wednesday, APH, T, AVY, BA, BSX, CME, KO, CSTM, DB, EVR, GEV, GD, HLT, KBR, LII, LAD, COOP, EDU, NEE, NTRS, ODFL, BPOP, PRG, ROP, TMHC, TDY, TMO, TRU, TNL, UNF, VRT, WAB, WSO, WGO, ALGN, AMP, ASGN, CACI, CP, CLS, CCS, CHDN, CYH, FAF, GL, GGG, ICLR, IBM, KALU, KNX, LRCX, LVS, MAT, MOH, NEM, ORLY, OII, PTEN, PLXS, RJF, ROL, SEIC, NOW, TMUS, TER, TSLA, TYL, URI, VLTO, WCN, WFG, WU, and WHR report.  On Thursday, we hear from ADT, ALLE, AAL, AIT, AMBP, BFH, BC, CRS, CARR, CBRE, DAR, COV, DOW, DTE, EQNR, EEFT, FCFS, FSV, FCN, GTX, HOG, HAS, HON, KDP, KKR, LH, LEA, LTH, LKQ, MSM, NDAQ, NOC, ORI, POOL, RDUS, RS, RCI, R, SPGI, SAH, LUV, TAL, FTI, TECK, TXT, TSCO, TPH, UNP, UPS, VLO, VC, WST, WEX, ATR, AJG, SAM, BYD, COF, CSL, CINF, FIX, DECK, DXCM, DLR, EW, HIG, LHX, MTX, MHK, NOV, OLN, DOC, PFG, RMD, SKX, SSNC, TXRH, TROX, UHS, VALE, WDC, WY, and WKC. Finally, on Friday, AON, AN, AVTR, BAH, CNC, CL, GNTX, HCA, NYCB, NWL, POR, SAIA, and SNY report.

So far this morning, SDVKY beat on both the revenue and earnings lines. Meanwhile, LU missed on revenue while coming in in-line on earnings.

With that background, it looks like the Bears are in charge early in all three major index ETFs. QQQ gapped a bit lower while SPY and DIA opened roughly flat in the premarket. However, all three have sold off since that point and are printing larger black-body candles in the early session. QQQ is retesting its T-line (8ema) from above. Two of the three remain above their T-line (8ema) with the third testing a rising 8ema. So, the short-term trend remains modestly bullish. The mid-term and longer-term trends are also strongly Bullish in all three. With regard to extension, none of the major index ETFs are too far extended from its T-line (8ema). However, the T2122 indicator is still inside the lower edge of its overbought territory. So, markets have room to run either direction, but the Bears have more slack to work with again today. With regard to those 10 big dog tickers, all 10 are in the red this morning. TSLA (-1.23%) leads on price move lower. The biggest dog, NVDA (-0.64%) has traded a bit more than twice the next closest ticker in terms of dollar-volume traded.

As always, be deliberate and disciplined…but don’t be stubborn. If you have a loss, admit you were wrong and take that loss before it gets out of hand. And when the price does move in your direction, always move your stops in your favor and take a little profit off the table. You have to keep the “Legend of the Man in the Green Bathrobe” in mind. In a winning situation, it is NOT HOUSE MONEY you’re betting, it’s YOUR MONEY! There is no reason to keep raising your bet (risk) size just because you’ve had a win. Finally, remember that trading is not a hobby, it’s a job. The gains are real and so is the risk. So, treat it that way. Do the work and follow the process. Stick to your trading rules, trade with the trend, and take those profits when you have them. Do the work!

See you in the trading room.

Ed

🎯 Mike Probst: Rick, Got CTL off the scanner today. Already up 30%. Love it.

🎯 Dick Carp: the scanner paid for the year with HES-thank you

🎯 Arnoldo Bolanos: LTA scanner really works $$, thanks Ed.

🎯 Bob S: LTA is incredible…. I use it … would not trade without it

🎯 Malcolm .: Posted in room 2, @Rick… I used the LTA Scanner to go through hundreds of stocks this weekend and picked out three to trade:  PYPL, TGT, and ZS.   Quality patterns and with my trading, up 24%, 7% and 12%…. this program is gold.

🎯 Friday 6/21/19  (10:09 am) Aaron B: Today, my account is at +190% since January. Thanks, RWO HRC Flash Malcolm Thomas Steve Ed Bob S Bob C Mike P and everyone that contributes every day. I love our job.

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